Under the Tang Dynasty, evidence of ornamental water gardens started to appear. Goldfish gained popularity in ancient China. This is supported by the fact that the fish depicted were not considered sacred like the tilapia or Nile perch. Historians believe ancient Egyptians developed more efficient ways of catching food at this time, and that this was a form of sport and entertainment. At the same time, tombs depict fish in other marble ponds being caught with fishing rods. Temples along the Nile had marble ponds for these fish.Įgyptians were also known to display wild animals and birds on walls, and fish were no exception. Similarly, ancient Egyptians believed the creator god, Atum, spat the world from his mouth. Egyptians held tilapia in high regard, as they believed it could enhance fertility due to the way it birthed hatchlings from its mouth. In Egypt, fish keeping has religious origins. In addition to their usage in the ancient kitchens, these aquariums were associated with décor in ornamental gardens and temples. In their upper classes, the Sumerians valued the natural sciences and used these ponds to observe and classify fish. While this may not seem like what we know as a modern aquarium, it is undoubtedly the origin. These fish were caught from the wild and then put in pools to later be eaten.

During this time, fish were kept in man-made ponds as an early form of storage. This civilization is identified as the earliest fish keepers in history. with the Sumerians of ancient Mesopotamia. The first evidence of aquariums dates back to 2500 B.C. Let’s go over the history of fish tanks, and why they were made. Aquariums can be traced from ancient Mesopotamia to China, across landmasses and oceans to Europe and America. What was once a means of survival transformed into a symbol of wealth, and is now a tool of education and a passion for hobbyists. The evolution of the fish tank and its purposes reflects how the world has changed and advanced.

Modern fish tank art